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This paper presents the design of a transmission-type dual-frequency polarization rotator for linearly polarized electromagnetic wave. The rotator facilitates polarization conversion for incident waves at any azimuth angle ϕ at two specific frequency points, resulting in a transmission wave with a counterclockwise rotation of 2ϕ. The proposed polarization rotator structure comprises three metal layers separated by two dielectric substrates. It includes two large rectangular metal patches positioned orthogonally along the x- and y-axes, respectively, as well as two small rectangular metal patches also positioned orthogonally along the x- and y-axes, respectively. The upper and lower metal layers act as the receiving and radiation ends, respectively. The transmitting and receiving ends are interconnected through coaxial metal holes. Remarkably, polarization conversion efficiencies exceeding 0.95 and 0.94 at 12 and 17 GHz, respectively, are achieved, and these high conversion efficiencies remain consistent as the azimuth angle of incidence changes. Furthermore, experimental results obtained from fabricated samples align well with the simulation ones, thus validating the effectiveness of the proposed polarization rotator. The proposed transmissive dual-frequency polarization rotator exhibits good practical application prospects in mobile satellite communications, GNSS, WLAN, etc.

C6H2KN3O7, monoclinic, P21/m (no. 11), a = 4.1681(2) Å, b = 10.6704(6) Å, c = 10.2381(6) Å, β = 95.134(2)°, V = 453.52(4) Å3, Z = 2, R gt(F) = 0.0404, wR ref(F 2) = 0.0967, T = 295 K.

Controlling spin electromagnetic waves by ultra-thin Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) metasurfaces show promising prospects in the optical and wireless communications. One of the major challenge is to precisely control over the complex wavefronts and spatial power intensity characteristics without relying on massive algorithm optimizations, which requires independent amplitude and phase tuning. However, traditional PB phase can only provide phase control. Here, by introducing the interference of dual geometric phases, we propose a metasurface that can provide arbitrary amplitude and phase manipulations on meta-atom level for spin waves, achieving direct routing of multi-beams with desired intensity distribution. As the experimental demonstration, we design two microwave metasurfaces for respectively controlling the far-field and near-field multi-beam generations with desired spatial scatterings and power allocations, achieving full control of both sophisticated wavefronts and their energy distribution. This approach to directly generate editable spatial beam intensity with tailored wavefront may pave a way to design advanced meta-devices that can be potentially used in many real-world applications, such as multifunctional, multiple-input multiple-output and high-quality imaging devices.

(1) Background: Inflammation plays an important role in the onset and progression of acute kidney injury (AKI). Despite this, evidence regarding the prognostic effect of the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), a novel systemic inflammation marker, among patients with AKI is scarce. This study sets out to investigate the prognostic potential of both baseline and early changes in MLR for short-term mortality among critically ill patients with AKI. (2) Method: Eligible patients with AKI from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database were retrospectively analyzed. MLR cutoff values were determined using maximally selected rank statistics and tertiles. The clinical outcomes were 30-day and 90-day mortality in the intensive care unit. A restricted cubic splines model and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to evaluate the association between the baseline MLR and short-term mortality. Then, the trends in MLR over time were compared between the 30-day survivors and non-survivors using a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM). (3) Result: A total of 15,986 patients were enrolled. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified baseline MLR ≥ 0.48 as an independent risk factor predicting 30-day mortality (HR 1.33, 95%CI 1.24, 1.45, p < 0.001) and 90-day mortality (HR 1.34, 95%CI 1.23, 1.52, p < 0.001) after adjusting for potential confounders. Similar trends were observed for 30-day and 90-day mortality when tertiles were used to group patients. The restricted cubic splines model revealed a non-linear association between MLR and 30-day and 90-day mortality (both p for non-linear < 0.001, both p for overall < 0.001). The area under the curve of 0.64 for MLR was higher than that of monocytes (0.55) and lymphocytes (0.61). In the subgroup analyses, despite the noted significant interactions, the direction of the observed association between MLR and 30-day mortality was consistent across most prespecified subgroups, except for shock and black ethnicity. The GAMM results highlighted that, as time went on, MLR in the 30-day survival group consistently declined, whereas MLR in the non-survival group rose within 15 days post-ICU admission. The difference between the two groups persisted significantly even after adjusting for confounders (p = 0.006). (4) Conclusion: A higher baseline MLR was identified as an independent risk factor predicting 30-day and 90-day mortality. The early increase in MLR was associated with high 30-day mortality, suggesting that dynamic monitoring of MLR could potentially better predict survival in critically ill patients with AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress is prevalent in end-stage kidney disease patients receiving chronic hemodialysis and is associated with heavy cardiovascular disease burdens and increased mortality risks. Hemoincompatible hemodialysis membranes per se contribute to the activation of oxidative reactions and the generation of oxygen free radicals. Since the early 1990s, vitamin E-coated membranes have been extensively used in hemodialysis patients to reduce oxidative stress during hemodialysis sessions. However, the beneficial effects of vitamin E-coated membranes versus unmodified synthetic membranes on long-term patient-centered outcomes, such as survival, quality of life, and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, remain controversial. Accordingly, novel antioxidant hemodialysis membranes were prepared to replace the use of vitamin E-coated membranes despite the translational research on these membranes unfortunately coming to a standstill. In this review, we first summarize the state-of-the-art on the use of vitamin E-coated membranes in hemodialysis patients to highlight their strengths and limitations. Then, we discuss the latest advances in fabricating antioxidant hemodialysis membranes and provide perspectives to bridge knowledge gaps between laboratorial investigations and clinical practice in fabricating antioxidant hemodialysis membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a reconfigurable ultra-wideband transmissive terahertz polarization rotator based on graphene metamaterial is proposed that can switch between two states of polarization rotation within a broad terahertz band by changing the Fermi level of graphene. The proposed reconfigurable polarization rotator is based on a two-dimensional periodic array of multilayer graphene metamaterial structure, which is composed of metal grating, graphene grating, silicon dioxide thin film, and a dielectric substrate. The graphene metamaterial can achieve high co-polarized transmission of a linearly polarized incident wave at the off-state of the graphene grating without applying the bias voltage. Once the specially designed bias voltage is applied to change the Fermi level of graphene, the polarization rotation angle of linearly polarized waves is switched to 45° by the graphene metamaterial at the on-state. The working frequency band with 45-degree linear polarized transmission remaining above 0.7 and the polarization conversion ratio (PCR) above 90% is from 0.35 to 1.75 THz, and the relative bandwidth reaches 133.3% of the central working frequency. Furthermore, even with oblique incidence at large angles, the proposed device retains high-efficiency conversion in a broad band. The proposed graphene metamaterial offers a novel approach for the design of a terahertz tunable polarization rotator and is expected to be applied in the applications of terahertz wireless communication, imaging, and sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the effect of Eu3+ substitution on the structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of La0.7–xEuxBa0.3MnO3 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08) (LEBMO). The material is prepared by solid-state sintering method. X-ray diffraction and structural refinement parameters indicate that all the synthesized samples have single-phase hexagonal structure. Magnetic measurements indicate that Curie temperature (TC) of the samples decrease with increasing Eu3+ content, because of the weakening of double exchange interaction. All samples present a second-order ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition. Magnetic entropy change (ΔSM) of the samples increases as the Eu3+ content enhance. When x = 0.08, the TC of the sample is 258.6 K and the maximum value of ΔSM reaches 3.27 J kg−1 K−1 at 5 T of a magnetic field. These results indicate that the material can be used as an ideal working material for the normal temperature magnetic refrigeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narrow absorption bandwidth has been a fundamental drawback hindering many metamaterial absorbers for practical applications. In this paper, by loading lumped resistors, we have successfully designed a microwave metamaterial absorber with multioctave wide absorption bandwidth covering the entire X- and Ku-bands, while keeping the thickness of the absorber less than 1/10 of the working wavelength. The polarization-insensitive absorber shows a good angular stability for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) incidences. Prototype has been fabricated and measured to validate the design principle and the simulated results, and good agreements are observed between simulated and measured results. The proposed metamaterial absorber offers an efficient way to realize broadband microwave absorption with stable angular performance, which may find potential uses in many applications, for example, electromagnetic compatibility.

During the excavation of underground projects, the rock masses left as the bearing support system are also subjected to dynamic loads from the excavation activities ahead. These rock masses have been damaged and fractured during the initial exposure (dynamic loads) and are subjected to static loads in the subsequent process as the support system. In this study, granite rock samples and specimens with different angles were produced, preloaded with different confining pressure, and under a combination of dynamic and static loading tests using a modified dynamic and static loading system: split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The peak strain and dynamic modulus of elasticity are weakened by the inclination angle in a similar way to the strength, with the specimens showing an evolutionary pattern from tensile strain to shear damage. The change in the inclination angle of flaws would weaken the dynamic and combined strengths, and a larger inclination flaw results in a significant decrease in its strength. Fractal analysis revealed that the fractural dimension was closely related to the fissure angle and showed a good linear correlation with the strain rate. This study will provide an important security assurance for deep mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different fractures exist widely in rock mass and play a significant role in their deformation and strength properties. Crack rocks are often subjected to dynamic disturbances, which exist in many fields of geotechnical engineering practices. In this study, dynamic compression tests were carried out on rock specimens with parallel cracks using a split hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. Tests determined the effects of strain rate and crack intensity on dynamic responses, including progressive failure behavior, rock fragmentation characteristics, and energy dissipation. Based on the crack classification method, tensile–shear mixed cracking dominates the failure of rock specimens under the action of impact loading. Increasing the flaw inclination angle from 0°–90° changes the predominant cracking mechanism from tensile cracking to mixed tensile–shear cracking. The larger the loading rate, the more obvious the cracking mechanism, which indicates that the loading rate can promote the cracking failure of rock specimens. The fragmentation analysis shows that rock samples are significantly broken at higher loading rates, and higher loading rates lead to smaller average fragment sizes; therefore, the larger the fractal dimension is, the more uniform the broken fragments of smaller sizes are. Energy utilization efficiency decreases while energy dissipation density increases with increasing strain rate. For a given loading rate, the energy absorption density and energy utilization efficiency first decrease and then increase with increasing flaw inclination, while the rockburst tendency of rock decreases initially and then increases. We also find that the elastic–plastic strain energy density increases linearly with the total input energy density, confirming that the linear energy property of granite has not been altered by the loading rate. According to this inherent property, the peak elastic strain energy of the crack specimen can be calculated accurately. On this basis, the rockburst proneness of granite can be determined quantitatively using the residual elastic energy index, and the result is consistent with the intensity of actual rockburst for the specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) has been well studied among young people, but few data on clinicopathological characteristics, treatment response and outcomes for elderly IgAN patients are available. A cohort study of elderly IgAN patients was performed. The combined endpoints of renal outcome were a 50% decline in eGFR compared with the time of renal biopsy, end-stage kidney disease and/or death. Risk factors associated with poor renal outcomes were then determined. The benefits of immunosuppressant therapies were also evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis. This study ultimately included 126 elderly patients with IgAN. Comparison between the endpoint and non-endpoint groups indicated that patients with poor outcomes had more severe clinical features, such as worse kidney function, severe hematuria and lower albumin levels. Cox regression analysis indicated that age (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.29, p = 0.021), male gender (HR 9.71, 95% CI 1.00–97.56, p = 0.050), and urine red blood cells (HR 1.003, 95% CI 1.000–1.006, p = 0.029) were independent risk factors for poor renal outcome in elderly IgAN patients. To explore possible reasons accounting for the predictive value of age and sex, patients were divided into two groups based on these two variables. Patients in the geriatric group had lower serum albumin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin and aspartate aminotransferase levels than those in the quinquagenarian group. Male patients tended to have higher hemoglobin, higher alanine aminotransferase, and lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels than female patients. To investigate different treatment responses, patients were classified into two groups depending on treatment strategies (renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and immunosuppressive therapy), and the survival analysis indicated no significant difference in kidney outcome between the two groups (p > 0.05). This result still holds after adjusting for age, sex, eGFR, hematuria, and proteinuria. Advanced age, male, and hematuria might be independently associated with poor kidney outcomes in elderly patients with IgAN. Immunosuppressive therapy might confer no overall benefit to older IgAN patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep surrounding rocks are highly statically stressed before mining (excavating) and will inevitably experience disturbances from unloading, mining, stress adjustment or their combinations during mechanical or blasting excavation, which actually suffer from a typical coupled static-dynamic stress. A split Hopkinson pressure bar was used to carry out dynamic-static loading test on rock specimens with different fracture angles. The results show that the change law of energy utilization efficiency is similar to the energy absorption rate that they increase first and then decrease with the increasing of axial pressure. The elastic energy of specimens would also increase first and then decrease with the increasing of axial pressure, while the plastic energy generally decrease overall. Both the energy utilization efficiency and energy absorption rate increase with the growth of dynamic compressive strength under impact loading, which indicate that the energy dissipation exhibits a positive with the dynamic strength. The energy absorption density and energy utilization efficiency gradually increase linearly with the increasing of the average strain rate, while the relationship between energy utilization efficiency and incident energy basically follows the exponential function increasing law. The rock burst of pre-flawed rock is related to the static load level under dynamic-static loading, it occurs obviously under the action of medium energy when the axial pressure is high. Based on the energy dissipation theory, the damage variable model was further established, the damage variable can reasonably describe the damage evolution of crack granite under dynamic-static loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure, magnetic properties, critical behavior, and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of La0.7−xEuxBa0.15Ca0.15MnO3 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08) samples have been investigated in the paper. The samples have a rhombohedral crystal structure with the R-3C space group. The magnetic entropy change (− ∆SM) of the samples increases from 2.8 to 3.43 J/kg K (μ0H = 5 T) with increasing Eu3+ content. The Curie temperature (TC) decreases from 228 to 187 K; however, the relative cooling power (RCP) increases from 308 to 340 J/kg due to the weakness of the double-exchange interaction with the Eu3+ content. The samples undergo the second-order magnetic phase transitions with the critical parameters of TC = 191 K, β = 0.849, γ = 1.078, and δ = 2.242. The exponents are close to the mean-field values, which means large disorder of spin magnetic moments in the sample. Our work provides a method to tailor the working temperature of MCE in magnetic refrigeration while maintaining or even increasing the magnetic entropy change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel high-efficiency polarization-selective bifunctional metasurface (MS) is proposed, which can realize cross-polarized focusing transmission for left-handed circular polarization (LHCP) incidence and co-polarized specular reflection for right-handed circular polarization (RHCP) incidence. As an example of its practical application, the designed MS is applied to form an RHCP folded transmitarray antenna (FTA) whose feed source (FS) is integrated with the bottom metallic surface. To prove the concept, a prototype of millimeter-wave (MMW) FTA based on the proposed MS is numerically simulated, physically implemented, and experimentally measured. The measured results coincide well with the simulated ones, showing a peak gain of 23.6 dBi at 27.7 GHz with the peak aperture efficiency of 43.1%, a 3 dB gain bandwidth of 15.8% (25–29.3 GHz), and a 3 dB axial-ratio (AR) bandwidth over 29.6%. The proposed high-performance antenna has the advantages of low profile, high efficiency, integration design, and broad bandwidth, which may have promising applications in the fifth-generation MMW communication system. The proposed MS and its application to high-gain antenna may promote the uses of MS to real-world applications in satellite communication, radar detection, and wireless communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Wolfiporia cocos is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat depression. However, antidepressant-like effects of the main active ingredients of Wolfiporia cocos , total triterpenes of Wolfiporia cocos (TTWC), are not well studied. This study aimed to investigate those effects and explore their specific mechanisms of action in depth. Methods: Chemical components of TTWC were analyzed using LC-MS. Depression-like behavior in rats were induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The suppressive effects of TTWC (60, 120, 240 mg/kg) against CUMS-induced depression-like behavior were evaluated using the forced swimming test (FST), open field test (OFT) and sucrose preference test (SPT). Levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), glutamate (GLU), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in different groups were determined by ELISA. Western blotting (WB) was used to detect the expression of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, caspase-1, pro-IL-1beta, IL-1beta, pro-IL-18, and IL-18 in the prefrontal cortex. Additionally, the mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1beta and IL-18 were detected by RT-PCR. Results: A total of 69 lanostane-type triterpene acids of TTWC were identified. The results showed that TTWC exhibited an antidepressant-like effect in CUMS rats, reversed the decreased sugar preference in the SPT, reduction of immobility time in the FST, reduced the rest time, increased the total moving distance in the OFT. TTWC increased 5-HT levels and decreased GLU levels in the hippocampus. Moreover, TTWC decreased CRH levels in serum, indicating the regulation of over-activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In addition, reduced serum levels of IL-1beta, IL-18, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. The WB results implied that TTWC inhibited the expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1beta, and IL-18 in the prefrontal cortex and enhanced the expression of pro-caspase-1, pro-IL-1beta, and pro-IL-18. Although most of the results were not significant, PCR results showed that TTWC inhibited the expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1beta, and IL-18 in the prefrontal cortex. Conclusion: TTWC treatment exerted an antidepressant-like effect and regulates neurotransmitters, HPA axis and NLRP3 signaling pathway. These results indicated the potential of TTWC in preventing the development of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Circulating histones (CHs), a group of damage-associated molecular pattern molecules mainly derived from neutrophil extracellular traps, play a crucial role in sepsis by mediating inflammation response, organ injury and death through Toll-like receptors or inflammasome pathways. Herein, we first elucidate the molecular mechanisms of histone-induced inflammation amplification, endothelium injury and cascade coagulation activation, and discuss the close correlation between elevated level of CHs and disease severity as well as mortality in patients with sepsis. Furthermore, current state-of-the-art on anti-histone therapy with antibodies, histone-binding proteins (namely recombinant thrombomodulin and activated protein C), and heparin is summarized to propose promising approaches for sepsis treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study systematically investigates the failure patterns, energy dissipation, and fracture behavior of rock specimens containing a vertical hole under impact loads. First, an improved damage calculation equation suitable for the analysis of rock specimens with a vertical hole is obtained based on the one-dimensional stress wave theory and the interface continuity condition. After that, the Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) device was used to conduct cyclic impact tests with different impact pressures and impact modes (impact pressures with equal amplitude and unequal amplitude). The experimental results suggest that, under the equal-amplitude high pressure and unequal-amplitude pressure, the degree of damage of the rock significantly increased, the bearing capacity greatly reduced, and the rock gradually transitions from having good ductility to experiencing brittle failure. The cumulative specific energy absorption value gradually increases with the increase in the cyclic impact. Compared to that of the equal impact condition, the degree of damage to the rock is more severe for the case of equal-amplitude high pressure and unequal impact, and the failure mode undergoes a transformation from transverse tensile failure to transverse tensile failure-axial splitting failure combination and axial splitting failure. Through the analysis of rock energy changes and rock failure patterns during cyclic impact, it will be helpful to predict and control the fracture caused by local stress concentration during excavation, thus can reduce the cost of support and reinforcement in excavation and improve the stability of surrounding rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C6H2KN3O7, monoclinic, P21/m (no. 11), a = 4.1681(2) Å, b = 10.6704(6) Å, c = 10.2381(6) Å, β = 95.134(2)°, V = 453.52(4) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0404, wRref(F2) = 0.0967, T = 295 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C6H2KN3O7, monoclinic, P21/m (no. 11), a = 4.1681(2) Å, b = 10.6704(6) Å, c = 10.2381(6) Å, β = 95.134(2)°, V = 453.52(4) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0404, wRref(F2) = 0.0967, T = 295 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narrow absorption bandwidth has been a fundamental drawback hindering many metamaterial absorbers for practical applications. In this paper, by loading lumped resistors, we have successfully designed a microwave metamaterial absorber with multioctave wide absorption bandwidth covering the entire X- and Ku-bands, while keeping the thickness of the absorber less than 1/10 of the working wavelength. The polarization-insensitive absorber shows a good angular stability for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) incidences. Prototype has been fabricated and measured to validate the design principle and the simulated results, and good agreements are observed between simulated and measured results. The proposed metamaterial absorber offers an efficient way to realize broadband microwave absorption with stable angular performance, which may find potential uses in many applications, for example, electromagnetic compatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poria cocos is an ancient medicine and modern functional food, which exerts excellent effects on anxiety, although its mechanism is unknown.Purpose: To explore the mechanisms of the aqueous extract of P. cocos (PCD) in ameliorating anxiety-like behavior caused by chronic sleep deprivation (CSD).Methods: PCD chemical composition was analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. A CSD rat model was established over 21 days. We examined the effects and mechanisms after 10 days of CSD using open-field tests (OFTs), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, 16S rDNA, non-targeted metabolomics, and Western blot analyses.Results: Sixty-two triterpenoids were identified in PCD. CSD-induced anxiety-like behavior was significantly attenuated by PCD treatment. PCD improved hypothalamic neurotransmitters, decreased proinflammatory cytokines, and depressed the proteins expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. The full-length 16S rDNA sequence of bacterial cells was also sequenced by high-throughput analysis. CSD caused significant changes in the intestinal flora. PCD improved the species diversity and bacterial abundance in the intestines of rats with anxiety. Metabolomics analysis indicated that 12 PCD-related metabolites in serum and 32 PCD-related metabolites in feces were identified, respectively. Metabolite analysis in serum, PCD treatment affected taurine, hypotaurine, cysteine, methionine, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, among others. Metabolite analysis in feces showed significant effects of PCD treatment on the metabolism of vitamin B6, tyrosine, drugs, and glycerophospholipid. Additionally, the correlation analysis of heatmaps showed a tight relationship between inflammatory factors, metabolic parameters, and gut microbial phylotypes.Conclusions: PCD relieved anxiety by regulating intestinal flora, regulating metabolic disorders, and inhibiting inflammatory pathways in chronic sleep-deprived rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (PC), a fungus, has been used for more than 2000 years as a food and medicine in China. It has a very good therapeutic effect for functional dyspepsia (FD). However, the material basis and mechanism of PC on FD were not reported.Purpose: To investigate the function and potential mechanisms of PC including its three extracts (triterpenoid, PCT; water-soluble polysaccharide, PCWP; acidic polysaccharide, PCAP) on FD.Study Design: The study explored the therapeutic effect of PC and its three extracts on FD in rats for the first time and discussed its mechanisms based on brain-gut peptides, immunity and repair of the gastrointestinal mucosa.Methods: The chemical components of PC extracts were analyzed and quantified using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and gel permeation chromatography coupled with size exclusion chromatography (GPC/SEC). The FD rat models were established using weight-loaded forced swimming and alternate-day fasting for 42 days. After 14 days of treatment, the effect and mechanisms were investigated using ELISA, histopathology, immunohistochemistry as well as Western blot.Results: Seventy-seven triterpenoids in PCT were identified. PCWP was primarily composed of component A (Mw: 3.831 × 107 Da), component B (Mw: 5.650 × 106 Da) and component C (Mw: 113,117 Da). PCAP was a homogeneous composition with an average Mw of 74,320 Da. PCT, PCWP and PCAP alleviated the symptoms of FD. These extracts promoted the repair of gastrointestinal mucosa and regulated the balance between the T helper cell (Th)1/Th2 axis and the Th17/Treg axis. PCT and PCWP regulated brain-gut peptides more effectively, PCWP and PCAP enhanced immunity more effectively. Further study demonstrated that these extracts may have enhanced immunity via the Toll-like receptor (TLR) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways.Conclusions: PC extracts showed therapeutic effects on FD rats, and the mechanism of action involved multiple pathways. PCAP, which is often discarded in traditional applications, was effective. Our study provides new ideas for the application and development of PC extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poria cocos alkali-soluble polysaccharide (PCAP), a water-insoluble β-glucan, is the main component of the total dried sclerotia of Poria cocos. However, its gelation behaviour and properties have yet to be comprehensively studied. In this study, an acid-induced physical hydrogel based on natural PCAP is fabricated. The acid-induced gelation in PCAP is explored with respect to the pH and polysaccharide concentration. PCAP hydrogels are formed in the pH range of 0.3–10.5, and the lowest gelation concentration is 0.4 wt%. Furthermore, dynamic rheological, fluorescence, and cyclic voltammetry measurements are performed to elucidate the gelation mechanism. The results reveal that hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions play a dominant role in gel formation. Subsequently, the properties of the PCAP hydrogels are investigated using rheological measurements, scanning electron microscopy, gravimetric analysis, free radical scavenging, MTT assays, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The PCAP hydrogels exhibit a porous network structure and cytocompatibility, in addition to good viscoelastic, thixotropic, water-holding, swelling, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Furthermore, using rhein as a model drug for encapsulation, it is demonstrated that its cumulative release behaviour from the PCAP hydrogel is pH dependent. These results indicate the potential of PCAP hydrogels for application in biological medicine and drug delivery. • An acid-induced physically crosslinked hydrogel based on natural Poria cocos alkali-soluble polysaccharide (PCAP), a water-insoluble β-glucan, was fabricated for the first time • The gelation mechanism of Poria cocos alkali-soluble polysaccharide was elucidated according to the results from a combination of measurements including the dynamic rheological measurements, fluorescence spectra and cyclic voltammetry measurement • The resultant Poria cocos alkali-soluble polysaccharide hydrogel exhibit a porous network structure and cytocompatibility, in addition to good viscoelastic, thixotropic, water-holding, swelling, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities • The resultant Poria cocos alkali-soluble polysaccharide hydrogel have potential for application in pH-controlled drug release [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study assessed the effect of amoxicillin on outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), focusing on mortality rates and acute kidney disease (AKD) occurrence., Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis utilizing data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. The study included intensive care unit patients diagnosed with AKI to assess the effects of post-admission amoxicillin administration on 30-day and 90-day mortality rates and acute kidney disease incidence. We employed Cox proportional hazards models, propensity score matching, and inverse probability of treatment weighting to control for potential confounders., Results: Among 24,650 AKI patients, 676 (2.7%) received amoxicillin. The results indicated significantly lower mortality rates at 30 days (hazard ratio [HR] 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42-0.69) and 90 days (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.52-0.77) in the amoxicillin group compared to non-recipients. Additionally, amoxicillin administration was associated with a reduced incidence of AKD (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.36-0.65) but resulted in a modestly increased length of hospital stay (mean difference [MD] 1.95 days, 95% CI 1.15-2.75). A dose‒response relationship was evident, with higher doses (>875 mg) further decreasing mortality rates. Subgroup analysis revealed consistent benefits across most patient groups., Conclusion: Amoxicillin administration following ICU admission in patients with AKI was associated with improved survival rates and a lower incidence of AKD, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic measure for AKI management., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Luo, Zhou, Wan, Peng, Liao and Su.)

A high-efficiency transmitted polarization converter based on a frequency selective surface (FSS) is proposed in this paper. The FSS-based polarization converter (FSS-PC) is designed based on receiving-via-transmitting (RVT) structure. The receiving and transmitting antenna structures are interconnected by the transmission line, designed in the form of metallized via holes. For any linearly polarized (LP) electromagnetic wave, our proposed FSS-PC has the capability to convert it into another LP electromagnetic wave. This converted wave will have a counterclockwise rotation angle of 2φ relative to the incident wave at 11 GHz. This is achieved by adjusting the relative azimuth φ between the polarization plane of the incident LP wave's electric field and the converter. Meanwhile, the FSS-PC can achieve exceptionally high polarization conversion above -0.30 dB at the central frequency of 11 GHz. Furthermore, as the azimuth of the incident electric field varies, this high-efficiency polarization conversion capability remains stable. The prototype has been fabricated and measured, and the measured results agree well with the simulated ones, thus confirming the effectiveness of the proposed design.

Background: Testosterone decline and deficiency in males have aroused increased attention in male health management, which might have a close relationship with insulin resistance (IR)., Objectives: We utilized a novel and practical IR indicator, the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, to investigate the association between the TyG index and serum testosterone in US adult males., Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 and 2015-2016. The TyG index was calculated from fasting plasma glucose and serum triglyceride, and serum testosterone was measured by isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in NHANES., Results: A total of 2186 male participants aged more than 20 years old were included, and the mean TyG index was 8.72 ± 0.71. Participants with a higher TyG index showed a lower level of total testosterone (β = -45.83, 95% CI: -58.50, -33.15, p < 0.0001) and a higher risk of testosterone deficiency (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.46, 2.21, p < 0.0001) after we adjusted for all potential cofounders. Males in TyG index tertile 3 had a 113% (95% CI: 1.50, 3.02, p < 0.0001) higher risk of testosterone deficiency than those in tertile 1. Subgroup analysis stratified by diabetes condition indicated that the TyG index might be a good predictor of testosterone decline or deficiency in either people with or without diabetes. However, ROC cure analysis indicated that a larger area under the curve was found in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (0.71, 95% CI: 0.68,0.74) than in the TyG index (0.67, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.70)., Conclusions: Males with a higher TyG index tended to have a higher risk of testosterone decline or even testosterone deficiency. However, the predictability of the TyG index for testosterone deficiency was not better than that of HOMA-IR. More well-designed studies are still needed to validate this relationship., (© 2022 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.)

Context: It is still unknown whether the dietary inflammatory index (DII) is associated with sex hormones and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in adult women., Objective: This study examined the association between DII and sex hormones and SHBG in U.S. adult women., Design and Participants: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 2,092 female participants (age ≥ 20) from the 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were enrolled. Dietary inflammatory potential was assessed by DII based on 24-h dietary recall. SHBG was assessed using immuno-antibodies and chemo-luminescence, whereas sex hormones were measured by ID-LC-MS/MS., Results: The average DII was 0.21 ± 1.68, ranging from -4.54 (most anti-inflammatory) to 4.28 (most pro-inflammatory). After adjusting all covariates, a per-unit DII increase in DII tertile 3 was related to an 8.05 nmol/L SHBG decrease compared to DII tertile 1 ( P = 0.0366). Subgroup analysis stratified by perimenopausal period found that this negative association remained strong but only existed in women before (β = -3.71, 95% CI: -7.43, -0.12, P = 0.0423) the perimenopausal period. Interaction terms were added to both subgroup analyses and found no significant heterogeneity among different body mass index (BMI) or perimenopausal groups ( P > 0.05). Treshold analyses showed that the association of age with SHBG was an inverted U -shaped curve (inflection point: age = 50 yrs)., Conclusion: A proinflammatory diet caused decreased SHBG. However, more well-designed studies are still needed to validate and verify the causal relationship between DII and sex hormones and SHBG., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Liu, Feng, Luo, Ma and Ma.)